City of Memphis offers $1 per tire in buy back program

The city announced during a press conference the commencement of a fourth Tire Redemption Program Friday afternoon. The city has designated $77,000 for this years program and expects to buy 40,000 tires.

City Councilman Harold Collins and Public Works Director Dwan Gilliom (reflected in a puddle) hold a press conference announcing the commencement of a fourth Tire Redemption Program Friday afternoon. The city has designated $77,000 for this years program and expects to buy 40,000 tires.

A four-foot pile of 50 discarded tires or more on a dead end street of Pontotoc served as a backdrop for the announcement of Memphis' fourth tire buyback program since 2010.

"That is a health hazard," said Memphis Council member Harold Collins of the rubble. "It sends a signal that we don't care for our community. This is an incentive for someone to make a little money."

Starting on Feb. 27, at 7 a.m., residents can turn up to 100 tires per trip to Liberty Tire Recycling at 3000 Elvis Presley for a maximum of two trips per day. The city will pay $1 per tire, but tire collectors must be a Shelby County resident with a valid and current identification card or driver's license. The vehicle must also have a current Shelby County vehicle registration.

The city has $77,000 and is projecting that it will collect 40,000 tires in two days. About $37,000 will go to Liberty Tire to recycle the tires.

Public Works Director Dwan Gilliom said the buyback or tire redemption program saves the city money. To pick up the pile, he said, "I'd have to have a cherry picker (vehicle) and a bob truck. It costs us a little bit over $3 per tire with equipment and labor costs."

If previous buy backs are an indication, Collins predicted the funds would run out in about two days. He said people will be lined up at 3 a.m. to turn in tires. The center will open from Wednesday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. or until the funds run out.

Tire collectors will get a check in the mail based on the address listed on their identification within 7 to 10 days.

Collins blamed the dumping on unscrupulous second-hand tire dealers, mechanics who work out of their homes and Mississippi and Arkansas residents who drive over and dump their tires. A person who is caught dumping tires faces a $50 fine.

Collins said the program is in partnership with Shelby County which is providing sheriff's deputies who will be checking IDs during the buyback. "This council, this administration and the County Commission have made it clear that we are going to do all we can to flight blight in our city," he said.

By July, Collins said he hopes the city can pass an ordinance that will deal with second-hand tire dealers so that the city isn't spending money on such buyback programs.

Tire business dealers or waste tire haulers are ineligible for the program. Only passenger car or truck tires without the rims will be accepted. No tractor or heavy equipment tires will be collected.